Students Explain Their Learning

Our county stresses writing across the curriculum. Each of my students makes a 'Math Chat' booklet and designs a cover with mathematical pictures. Once we have learned a concept such as perimeter, I give them a prompt. For example: 'Mike maintains a garden 50 by 30 feet. What is the perimeter of the garden?' Students make a picture (drawing a rectangle and labeling the sides) and write a step-by-step description explaining how they solved the problem, using the appropriate terminology (length and width and numbers). Student work is assessed using a rubric. The students enjoy this different means of assessment. They see growth in all areas. This also helps their fifth grade teachers, since students have practice with what's required on the fifth-grade state assessment.

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